Sen. Cornyn: Obama 'AWOL' on Taxes, Defense

President Barack Obama’s support of gay-marriage rights is a desperate attempt to “solidify his base and divide the country,” Sen. John Cornyn said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union.”

“President Obama brought this issue up because … he can’t run on his record,” Cornyn said. “He’s trying to raise divisive issues.”

Cornyn said Obama “is AWOL” on two important events that will affect Americans at the end of 2012: expiring tax provisions that will result in “the largest tax increase in American history” and “disastrous cuts to the military.”

“Where’s the president?” Cornyn asked. “Well, he’s raising issues that aren’t going to be resolved between now and then in an attempt to try to distract the country from his record.”

When asked about the upcoming congressional session, Cornyn slammed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for refusing to take up at least two dozen bills passed by the House.

“We have to protect the minority’s right to have its voice heard,” Cornyn said. “The people we represent simply cannot be excluded because of Sen. Reid’s fiat.”